Of all his lucky breaks, none was bigger for Bobby Morris than the telephone call from Bill Miller in July 1969.
Miller, the entertainment director at Kirk Kerkorian's soon-to-open International, was on the telephone with news of a change of plans.
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Harry James, the legendary big band leader, had just backed out of his commitment to conduct Barbra Streisand's opening engagement and Elvis Presley's much-anticipated comeback in the 2,200-seat International, now the Las Vegas Hilton.
"It was three weeks before Streisand was to open. Bill said 'Harry has cold feet and doesn't feel he can do it.' When Harry fell out, I fell in. It was a helluva break," said Morris, then the musical director at the Flamingo and International.
When Streisand and Elvis opened, Morris conducted the 60-piece orchestra.
That led to a two-year run as Elvis' musical conductor, instead of handling the International's lounge shows.
Shortly before Elvis opened, Streisand showed up one day for Elvis' rehearsal.
Streisand approached Morris and said, " 'I'd really like to meet him' and I introduced them.
"They went on a date and I asked Elvis how it went. He said they got along 'very well.' You can read between the lines," Morris said.
It was Morris who delivered some big news to Elvis on the night of the opening.
Morris, whom Kerkorian had asked to greet VIPs on opening night, went backstage just before the show. When Elvis saw him, he asked, "Who's out there?"
"You wouldn't believe it, Elvis. Every star in the world," said Morris, who had just seen a celebrity turnout like never before. With that, an already nervous Elvis was all shook up.
Morris said he offered some words of advice: "I told him 'Don't be nervous; think of everyone in the audience without their clothes on.' "
Morris is still making music. He has been putting on Jazz at the Church every Friday at Third St. and Bridger.
Elvis, whose record run at the International went from 1969 to 1976, would have turned 72 today.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
A Las Vegas reunion of Supremes stars Diana Ross and Mary Wilson? I hear rumblings that it's being discussed, with the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood as a possible venue. Wilson, who moved to Henderson about five years ago to be close to her grandchildren, is working on several projects, and a Las Vegas show makes sense. Wilson and Sheryl Lee Ralph, who played the original Dena Jones in Broadway's "Dreamgirls," recently had dinner in Las Vegas. Jones' character was based on Ross. ...
There's good news regarding the Jan. 16 closure of Commander's Palace at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood. Look for an announcement soon that it will be opening at a new location.
SIGHTINGS
Michael Jackson, taking in "Night at the Museum" at the Red Rock Resort's Regal Cinemas. ... Mayor Oscar Goodman, wife Carolyn and a big table of family and friends at Vintner Grill, the Corrigan brothers' new hot spot in Summerlin. At a nearby table: Wolfgang Puck lieutenant Tom Kaplan. ... Somebody from George Maloof's party, flipping a $1,000 chip on the stage in appreciation after a solo performance during "Sunset Strip" (Las Vegas Hilton) on Saturday. The chip was tossed to cast member Lorena Peril after her version of Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful." ... Former UNLV coach Jerry Tarkanian, at Commander's Palace on Friday. ... The Wayans brothers, Marlon and Shawn, dining at Sushi Roku (Forum Shops at Caesars Palace) on Saturday before heading off to OPM Nightclub. Also at OPM: NFLers LaMont Jordan, Fred Taylor, Marcus Stroud, Maurice Jones, Khalif Barnes and Mike Peterson. ... At N9ne Steakhouse (Palms): Hines Ward, Joey Porter, James Farrior and four other Pittsburgh Steelers, celebrating a birthday. At other tables: six members of the Carolina Panthers and Brandon Hancock, who started at fullback for the USC Trojans in 2003, arriving with a 2006 autographed football for Maloof. ... Lisa Snowden, former gal pal of George Clooney, at Light with TV host Michele Merkin and Playboy Playmate Carmella DeCesare. ... Seth Schorr, celebrating his 30th birthday Friday in the Ferrari dealership at Wynn with a party put together by his parents, Steve Wynn's right-hand man Marc Schorr and wife Janie. One of the party twists: Dessert was served by stunning eye-candy models dressed like cotton candy, Lemonheads and Junior Mints, some of Seth's favorites. ... Richard Belzer of "Law & Order," comedy writer Stu Silver, singer Michael Andrew and comedian Max Alexander, at Rao's (Caesars Palace) after taking in "Love" (The Mirage).
THE PUNCH LINE
"Your hair can best be described as 'Trumpy.'" -- from David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You Watch Too Much Television.
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
